Peer Mentoring Programme – “Together on Diabetes”

CCD research identified a particularly vulnerable group of
Copenhageners that did not manage their health actively and had little
or no contact with local healthcare services. Through peer support
programme, which connects two people both diagnosed with type 2
diabetes, individuals are able to build relationships – and share
learnings that help them commit to the lifestyle changes necessary to
improve their lives with a chronic disease.

Local Partners: Municipality of Copenhagen’s Center for Diabetes,
Danish Diabetes Association and University of Copenhagen

Background

Despite free universal healthcare, and a city designed for healthy
living, Copenhageners today experience a quality of life that sits
below the rest of Denmark’s population. Their life expectancy lags
behind the national average by upwards of 2 years, and many residents
live with one or more chronic illness1.

Whilst many city‑led initiatives help enable healthy living for the
general population, evidence from CCD’s, Rule of Halves Analysis and
the Vulnerability Assessment, compiled as a part of CCD’s
‘map‑share‑act framework’, demonstrated inequalities in health –
especially amongst those with a low level of education, without
employment or who live alone. Whilst Copenhagen’s prevalence of
diabetes figure is a relatively low 5.1% across the general
population, for citizens that are not employed it doubles to 10.2%2.

The research highlighted the complexities that make up diabetes
vulnerability and concluded that there needed to be better and more
equal access to health care services for people living in
disadvantaged areas. Evolving out of the CCD analysis, it was noted
that vulnerable populations faced two main challenges; firstly,
despite Denmark’s free, universal healthcare there was a lack of
knowledge and confidence in the ability to navigate the health and
social services systems of the city, and secondly, for certain
populations, alienation and a lack of community hindered their
motivation to make long lasting lifestyle changes.

What the city did

As a part of the City Action Plan, a volunteer peer mentoring group
aimed at supporting socially vulnerable individuals with type-2
diabetes was created. Each peer supporter commits to a 6‑month
programme, engaging one-to-one with peers in their local community.
The initiative was rolled out in the two disadvantaged districts
identified by the CCD analysis, Tingbjerg and Sydhavnen.

Since the programme’s launch, 25 volunteer peer supporters have been
trained in how to be an effective diabetesbuddy to their peers. They
have learnt skills like how to advise in the practicalities of
manoeuvring through Denmark’s health and social services, as well as
on workable solutions to living with diabetes on a day-to-day basis.
Another positive outcome of the programme is that the participants,
both peer supporters and their peer mentees, have built social bonds
that can support them in their efforts to make long‑lasting lifestyle changes.

Preliminary results

Research on the results and general findings of the programme is
still on-going. Yet, initial analyses suggest that both the peer
supporters and peers for most part have benefitted from the program
and experienced positive outcomes.

The peer supporters have helped with social and practical
activities. They have, for example, helped with grocery shopping,
cooking, cleaning and finances. Furthermore, they have facilitated in
bridging their peers to the municipal welfare service and linking them
to the national healthcare system. Several peer supporters have lent
their advice and given moral support by participating as observers in
meetings between the peer and the municipality, or at doctors’
appointments.

After participating, both groups are expected to have strengthened
their health literacy, enhance their diabetes self‑management, learn
about effective glycaemic control and therefore contribute to a
greater quality of life and wellbeing for at‑risk populations. Long
term, these successes contribute to reducing the problem that
Copenhagen is facing with social inequality and type-2 diabetes,
therefore reducing overall inequalities in health in the city.

What’s next

Copenhagen University will evaluate the activities until 2022 and
produce a final report.

On the basis of a successful result, the project will be scaled up
and integrated into Copenhagen’s standard health offerings in order to
reach more people and create positive outcomes for those most at risk
of diabetes in the city. Continued strong collaboration with and among
local city stakeholders will ensure continued commitment to create change.